Skip to main content

The history of marriage - Alex Gendler

4,290,855 Views

26,777 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

A white, puffy dress. Eternal love. A joint tax return. Marriage means something different to everyone and has changed over time and across cultures. Alex Gendler traces the history of getting hitched, providing insights on polygamy, same-sex unions and even marriage between the dead and the living.

What was the main purpose of marriage in agricultural societies?

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Alex Gendler
  • Artist Jeremy Jusay
  • Producer Aaron Augenblick
  • Compositor Kristofer Wollinger
  • Narrator Michelle Snow

More from The World's People and Places